I found this multimeter while browsing my local Harbor Freight last night and it seems pretty awesome. I wanted to buy one, but for about $40, I decided to hold off until I could either get it on sale or use one of the 20%-off coupons they put in their fliers. For $32, it seems like a pretty good deal to me...
This meter is equipped with a built-in 40,000 lux light meter! This unit will allow us flashlight-aholics to measure cell voltage, current (up to 10A), temperature, PWM frequency, and output, all with the same meter! This meter also features auto-ranging, a backlit display, and audible continuity check.
I'm not a Harbor Freight employee, just a regular customer. I'm not spamming here...
Light, Sound, Temperature (including option for IR sensor probe), Relative Humidity, non contact AC voltage detector up to 1kV and multimeter (10A capable)
I can confirm what cd520 posted because I've seen that particular DMM under the Mastech brand and reviews suggest it's about average. I was looking at them on ebay and some other website but passed because the reviews weren't all that spectacular.
I just did a quick ebay search and was able to find the referenced unit listed as a Mastech MS8229; the cheapest price with shipping included was $65.47. For $32, I might take a chance on this one...
I just found that this meter can also be purchased as a Protek 6300... Based on the reviews, the sound meter and humidity readings aren't accurate, but those are features that would be of little interest to me.
Oh I see that one does lux as well. I was thinking of the 8268, which can be had for $32 shipped from Amazon (US). It might be worth trying out then. You'll also see that popular big box stores and auto parts stores sell the same DMM for $20+ that Harbor Freight sells for $6 under the Cen-Tech brand. If one is looking for a luxmeter then this looks like a decent get to start out with. Good find!
Although I dont have the particular HF model you're looking at, Ive purchased at least 50 DMM's for others through HF in the past. Several identical models will give varying results so I no longer buy them. Luckily, they had internal pots so I was able to recalibrate them against a known calibrated quality DMM . Later on I discovered that nearly all HF DMM's were only accurate when loaded with brand new quality alkaline batteries. As the battery discharged, the DMM's returned to providing horibbly inaccurate readings. I think this was true for 5 or 6 models of the cheap DMM's HF sells.
This is probably regarded as the most highly touted cheap digital multimeter across electronics forums on the internet. There are literally thousands of positive reviews and comments.
That's another one I've had bookmarked for cheap DMM's. For some reason I passed on it but I can't remember why. I just know I need to replace my VERY cheap DMM.. but then I'll just end up with another cheap one :P I can't justify spending a lot on a DMM because I'm just too afraid an expensive one will break and the cheap one will be good enough for my needs :)
So do you think that is a better buy over the Mastech, not considering the luxmeter?
I agree with all of your reasoning. Buy the Equus through Walmart online and have the best cheap DMM available as advised by thousands of tech savvy enthusiasts. If you dont have a walmart close by to pick it up, shipping to your home is only a buck. Also, Walmart has the best return policy of any major department store in the entire world.
I have that meter (someone else here does, too, because I got it after he pointed it out). It has an uncommon feature that it will warn you if the probes are in the wrong port. Good I guess for newbies since it's one of the common screwups with using a DMM, but can be slightly annoying. Measurement-wise, even the cheap-ass HF ones aren't that much off the Fluke and other pro meter I have and this one works fine.
The light meter on it under-measures the ebay ones (which I think are fairly accurate), by 15% or so.
edit: I tried the light meter on it again, and verified using an improved methodology, and it's actually within 5% of the ebay ones. I guess that shows how sensitive these measurements can be.
It also doesn't seem to work very well for freq nor duty cycle measurement, at least on flashlights. The pro meter I have correctly indicates 125 and 200hz for a X9 and MRV, respectively (and 8hz/12hz strobe). This ones doesn't show freq at all for either, and a duty cycle of ~80% for the MRV, which is clearly wrong, should be like 10%.
As a sanity test, I stuck it in a wall outlet and it measures 60hz and 50% accurately, so it's just not designed to read the more subtle PWM signal.
I just noticed, the meter I referenced above is listed as on sale on the Harbor Freight website. It's $34.99; if I can combine a 20% off coupon with that price, I can get it for $28!